Receptacle for milking apparatus



April 26, 1955 t c. A. THOMAS 2,706,965

RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1951 6 She ets-Sheet l N Q I) b x K h o \D I \I m Q r\ WON N o a: N w 3 D 1 Q I N n '3 $1 fivezzzarw UkeaZer f? 2 kwrzafi,

April 26, 1955 c. A. THOMAS 2,706,965

' RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1951 e Sheets-Sheet 2 f I 3 f] I I f i I I I 1 j 1 /l a; Q x 5; i fiaezzzafl Cizec zrfl i077??? i/ April 26, 1955 c. A. THOMAS RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS 6 Sheec (at 3 a a w llll Filed Apr 1951 April 26, 1955 c. A. THOMAS RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6 1951 @06777071 er/ZWW Z April 26, 1955 c. A. THOMAS 2,706,965

RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 W /WWWW a April 26, 1955 c. A. THOMAS 2,706,955

RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS Filed April 6 195] 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent Ofi Patented Apr. 26, 1955 ice 2,706,965 RECEPTACLE FOR MILKING APPARATUS Chester A. Thomas, Lake Forest, 111., assignor to Babson Bros. (30., a corporation of Illinois Application April 6, 1951, Serial No. 219,692 6 Claims. (Cl. 119'14.01)

the milking progresses.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and the drawings, in which:

ig. l is a view of a cow being milked by an apparatus incorporating the receptacle of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cow omitted;

ig. 3 is an enlarged view taken along the lines 3-3 of showing a portion of the pull on the receptacle and teat cup assemblies during milking;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 1, showing a means of attaching the receptacle to the positioning arm;

ig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the attachment means whereby the receptacle is suspended from the positioning Fig. 6

place in the receptacle along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevation of the receptacle used in the modified form of invention illustrated in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a partial bottom shown in Fig. 10.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the milking parlor is illustrated as employing the drop system, a higher level plan view of the receptacle present disclosure with respect to the general features of such milking parlors and stalls. In such milking parlors the cows, after any desired preliminary washing of the udder, or other preparation, are admitted to a stall, as for example the stall shown in Figs. 1 and 2 including the vertical uprights 10, 11, 12 and 13, the overhead horizontal bracing members here identified as 14 and 15, and side horizontal members, as for example, those identified as 16 and illustrated is shown in illustration. practice the equipment or accessories as those mentioned above, and

others illustrated and described patents.

wall 20 connecting While I prefer to have a stepped arrangement of stalls and floors as illustrated in the above mentioned patents, the stall is here shown as parallel to the wall 20 for simplicity of illustration.

The milking apparatus in which the present invention is particularly adapted for use and the illustrated and described is of a kind sometimes known in the trade as a carry-away type to distinguish it from a milking machine which receives a given amount of milk directly in its bucket and which must be the mil size, the remainder of the chamber being provided by a bowl shaped element here identified as 26.

I made of a transparent plastic.

The lid carries, suitably mounted thereon, a pulsator 28 of a type well known and conventional in the field, and the entire bowl assembly is supported by apparatus including a pair of pivotally interconnected arms 2? and 30 in turn supported on a vertically adjustable post 31.

The particular adjustable supporting arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 is of the general type more fully shown and described in Babson et al. Reissue Patent No. 22,368. The post 31 may be vertically adjusted to a desired position by telescopic movement within a tube 32 in turn suitably mounted, this mounting being here illustrated as on the side of the wall of the milking parlor installation, although it will be understood that this is representative only. Adjustment may be eifected by the handle 33 through a rack and gear arrangement; and a spring 34 is adapted to place continuous forward force on the milking apparatus during milking, sothat by appropriate adjustment of the height of the support a downward and forward intermittent tug and pull will be applied to the teat during milking with effect due to the pulsator action. The height adjustment is preferably made in such a manner that when the teat cups are placed on the teats there is some upward bending of at least the arm 29, so that the springmess of this arm provides the downward component of force which, to-

gether with the forward component of force from the spring 34, provide a steady downward and forward force which is converted into a periodic tug and pull on the teats as a result of pulsator operation and movement of the teat cup assemblies on the teats due to changes in vacuum.

The cup or bowl 26 (preferably of transparent material as Lucite or Plexiglas or other non-shattering and non-cold flowing transparent plastic, to facilitate checking the progress of milking and the condition of the milk) area or capacity enabling each pulse of milk delivered from the inflation to separate from the ends of the milk tubes and not be drawn back around the teats as the inflations expand on the next portion of pulsator operation, providing a desired break in the milk stream. The milking, of course, is of the double acting type conventional for several decades, alternate evacuation of air from and the space between the rigid outer being effected by the pulsator 28 through appropirate pulsator hoses or tubes.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 to 8, inclusive, the general construction of the bowl 26 and gs associated parts will be described in order to better ring remainder of the milking system illustrated. The bowl may be of convenient size, as for example of the order of a quart, and is adapted to have sealed to its top, as by a gasket 25, the lid 24. The lid illustrated is of a type heretofore used on milking machines and is the subject of Thomas Design Patent 156,852. A removable connec tion of appropriate type is provided between the supporting arm 29 and the lid 24; and means are provided for holding a bottom closure 36 on the bowl, this being here shown as in the form of a snap bail 27 which snaps a lug 36a which is integral with the bottom closure 36. This bottom closure for the main body of the bowl is adapted to be sealed to the bowl by another gasket 38, which may be best seen in Figure 7; and a filter pad of conventional type, here identified as 39, may be supported by a perforated plate 40 so that milk leaving the bowl 26 through the outlet connection pipe or nipple 41 will be filtered in desired manner.

The bottom closure 36 is preferably constructed of a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel. When the parts represented by the bowl 26, bottom closure 36 and nipple 41 were constructed of a single piece of molded plastic, they placed a severe pulling strain on the nipple 41 which frequently resulted in its fracture near where it was fastened to the bowl. In the present construction the nipple 41 and bottom closure 36 may be made of metal thereby eliminating a weak point. Having the bottom closure 36 detachable from the bowl 26 also provides a convenient location for a filter as will be further described below.

As previously mentioned the bowl 26 is preferably The lid 24 and base 36 are preferably made of a metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel and are held in an intermittent out the present invention and its relation to the position by the bail 27 t which is pivoted from the edge of the lid 24 as best shown in Fig. 4. The bowl 26 is readily clamped between the lid 24 and the bottom closure or base 36. The bowl 26 is then compressed between the two metal pieces, thereby effecting a very satisfactory assembly.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the filtration means may be seen to consist of several layers of filter pads 33 over the perforated plate 40. The plate 40 seats in an annularly indented portion of the bottom closure 36 as best shown in Fig. 7. The filter pads 39 extend beyond the periphery of the perforated plate 40 and are maintained in position by the gasket 38. In order to change the filter pads it is necessary only to unsnap the bail 27 and remove the bowl 26 from the bottom closure 36. Removal of the gasket then exposes the filter pads which may be replaced. The perforated plate 40 may also be lifted out when it is desired to clean it.

A bottom leg 42 is threadably attached to the base 36. This bottom leg 42 serves as a convenient means for holding the receptacle assembly and also as a limiting member to limit the downward movtment of the receptacle thereby to prevent contact of the teat cup assemblies with the floor. Occasionally a cow has such a low udder that the leg 42 would contact the floor while the cow was being milked. To avoid this, the leg 42 is made removable so that it may be omitted during milking of such an occasional cow, or, if preferred, the leg may be pivotally connected to the base so that it may be swung up out of the way.

The lid 24 is equipped with four nipples 43 (Fig. 6) to which are attached the teat cups 22. Fig. 1 illustrates the method of operation using the teat cups 22 and the milk receptacle which is the subject of this application. Prior to the time the cow has assumed proper milking position, the spring 34 has positioned the teat cup assembly a little forward of the position shown in Fig. 1. With the cow in position the operator places the teat cups on the cow and in so doing pulls the assembly toward the cows udder thereby placing the spring 34 under slight tension. Vertical adjustment of the height is effected by turning the handle 33 in the desired direction. The milking cycle is then started and the progress observed through the transparent bowl or breaker cup 26.

When it is desired to replace the filter pads 39 it is a simple matter to do so by unsnapping the bail 27 and placing fresh filter pads over the perforated plate 46. At this time, the bottom leg 42 is used to hold the base 36. If the operators grip should slip the bottom leg 42 will help to prevent contaminating contact between the floor 18 and the bottom closure 36.

My invention provides a strong milk receptacle which is well sealed from the outside, thereby insuring the easy maintenance of sanitary standards. At the same time, this device can be readily disassembled for the washing or cleaning necessary after completion of each milking period, and for changing of the filter.

The embodiment of the invention hereinabove described is particularly designed for use in a so-called parlor stall dairy installation. The invention of this application is also useable to convert the ordinary type of milking system, wherein the milk withdrawn from a cow is retained in the milk bucket at the cow (such as shown in the McCornack Patent 1,859,213), into a carryaway system. This conversion can be made very simply and with a minimum of expense.

Referring now to Fig. 9, there is illustrated an ordinary stall having a stanchion 50, the stall being equipped with a vacuum line 51 which may be the vacuum line previously installed for use with the ordinary milking system. To convert this system to a carry-away system, a second vacuum line 52 to carry away the milk is installed in the stall and connected, through the shut-off valve shown, to a flexible pipe 53 which, in turn, is connected to the milk Withdrawing apparatus 54. A flexible line 55 is used to connect the pulsator 56 affixed to the lid of the apparatus 54 to the line 51.

Most of the details of the milk withdrawing apparatus 54 are similar to those previously described herein and hence will not be further described in detail. Thus, the receptacle 54 includes a lid 57 provided with a number of nipples 58 to be secured to the teat cup assemblies 59 and with a boss 66 to which the pulsator is secured. The lid 57 is secured in air-tight relationship to the top of a transparent open bottomed bowl 611, the botom of the bowl being closed by a base member 62 provided with a 2,706,966 nipple 63 to be connected to the milk line 53. The base portions on said lid and base in liquid-tight contact with is provided with a heavy metal weight 64 secured thereto the bowl around said openings to form a substantially to produce the necessary downward pull on the teats as the' closed receptacle and to hold said receptacle in assembled milking progresses. The magnitude of the weight is such condition, said receptacle when assembled having an as to bring the receptacle to an empty weight of between 5 overall height less than the normal distance between the fifteen and twenty pounds, with a gross empty weight of udder of a cow and the floor of the stall in which the cow eighteen pounds being preferred. Secured to the base is is standing, an outlet pipe on the base forming a passage a cantilever handle 65 which has a portion 66 extending opening into the assembled receptacle, and a limiting vertically upwardly alongside of the bowl 61 and a curved member attached to the bottom of said base and extendtop portion 67 curving back over the top of the lid. The ing downwardly therefrom, said member having a length portion 67 is provided with a plurality of notches 68 each at least sufiicient to prevent a teat cup assembly hanging adapted to be placed in a how 69 provided on the bottom downwardly rrom a nipple from touching said floor of a surcingle 70 adapted to be suspended from the back 2. The receptacle of claim 1 in which said limiting of the cow. member is in the form of a leg movably attached to the A U-shaped latch bail 72 has its base located in a rebottom of said base and movable thereon from a first cessed portion 73 extending across the bottom of the base positron extending substantially vertically downwardly and is rotatably secured m the recess by a cover plate 74 from said receptacle to a second position wherein said The arms 75 of the bail extend upwardly on either side of leg is displaced toward the horizontal from the first posithe receptacle 54 and are threaded at their upper ends to tion receive wing nuts 76. The upper ends of the bail are 3. In a carry-away milking system, a milk receptacle receivable in a notch 77 provided in a fitting 78 secured comprising, a bowl having an opening at its top and at to the lid so that by tightening the wing nuts 76 the lid, its bottom, a lid havin a portion to make liquid-tight base and bowl may be firmly held together, with the gas contact with the bowl around said opening in the top kets previously described seating in their respective seats thereof, with said lid being provided with nipples to be to provide an air and fluid-tight container. When it is directly connected to the milk tubes of a plurality of desired to separate the various parts of the receptacle for teat cup assemblies, a base having a portion to make cleaning, the wing nuts 76 may be loosened and the latch liquid-tight contact with the bowl around the opening in bail 72 pivoted out of the way. the ottom thereof, means lnterconnecting the lid and In using the device of this invention in the manner base for clamping said bowl therebetween to hold said illustrated in Fig. 9, the vacuum line 55 is secured to the portions on said lid and base in liquid-tight contact with pulsator 56 while the vacuum milk line 53 is secured to the bowl around said openings to form a substantially the nipple 63. The portion 67 of the handle is then placed closed receptacle and to hold said receptacle in assembled in the bow 69 of the surcingle 70 which has been previouscondition, said receptacle when assembled having an ly attached to the cow with the bow positioned in one of overall height less than the normal distance between the the notches 68. The notches 68 are provided so that the udder of a cow and the floor of the stall in which the forward pull on the teats may be regulated as required, cow is standing, and an outlet pipe on the base forming being less for an easy milking cow and up to the maximum a passage opening into the assembled receptacle. forward pull (by using the notch 68a nearest the vertical 4. The receptacle of claim 3 in which said bowl is portion of the handle) for a hard milking cow. The surtransparent. cingle is drawn forwardly as illustrated in Fig. 9 to pro- 5. The receptacle of claim 3 in which there are four vide the forward component of force during the milking nipples on the lid and in which said bowl has a voloperation and, of course, the weight 64 provides the umetric capacity more than the volume of milk delivered downwardly component as previously described If deat a single pulsation but substantially less than the norsired, the receptacle may be secured to an independent mal volume of milk delivered by a cow at a single support such as shown in said Patent Reissue 22,368. milking.

Inasmuch as the receptacle 54 is not provided with a leg, 6. The receptacle of claim 3 including a perforated such as shown on the previously described embodiment, it plate in said base adapted to support a filter pad, a gasket is preferable that the overall height of the receptacle be for maintaining a filter pad in place against said persuch as to prevent the teat cups from touching the floor forated plate with said gasket constituting said portion should they all become loosened during the milking op- 0 o the base to be clamped in liquid-tight contact with eration. Should all of the teat cups fall from the udder the bowl around the opening in the bottom thereof. of the cow, the milking apparlatus woulld swing1 fclJlrward until it was vertically eneath t e surcing e, in w ic position its bottom may be resting upon the floor. The height UNITED STATES PATENTS of the apparatus (iis such that, shoultll1 tlhis occur, ttlllie teiat References Cited in the file of this patent cups are prevente from resting on t e oor and us t e danger of sucking debris into the milk line is avoided. 1 g g 3 An additional safeguard is the fact that the ends of the 14O8326 2 e g 8" 1922 nipples 58 are beveled so that the rubber hose connecting 1719395 Du 3: 6 1929 the nipples to the teat cups closes off the nipples when the 0 1776909 fi 1930 teat cup falls downwardly, and hence the vacuum to the 1785313 Keene-r 5 1930 fallen cup is shut off. 1859213 M 1932 While I have shown and described certain embodi- 191083O g 1933 ments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is 1972144 193 capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in 5 1977511 Gapgoo the construction and arrangement may be made without 2102267 z g 19 4 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as 2518589 on A 37 disclosed in the appended claims. 2610608 erson 1950 I claim: raves Sept. 16, 1952 1. In a carry-away milking system, a milk receptacle 2613636 Babson 1952 comprising, a bowl having an opening at its top and at its bottom, a lid having a portion to make liquid-tight FOREIGN PATENTS contact with the bowl around said opening in the top 26,015 Sweden Nov. 29, 1906 thereof, with said lid being provided with nipples to be 22,956 France Mar. 28, 1921 directly connected to the milk tubes of a plurality of (1st addition to No. 464,999) teat cup assemblies, a base having a portion to make 669,868 France Aug. 10, 1929 liquid-tight contact with the bowl around the opening 322,202 Great Britain Dec. 2, 1929 in the bottom thereof, means interconnecting the lid and 9197/32 Australia Sept. 5, 1933 base for clamping said bowl therebetween to hold said 105,472 Australia IIIIII: Oct. 12, 1938 

